REVEALED PREFERENCES. Another memorandum from headquarters.

As you are aware, we initiated a campus-wide effort (Early Alert) during the fall 2005 semester to assist our new freshmen with their transitions to our university. This initiative is focused on identifying and assisting freshmen who are at risk or are experiencing difficulties in adjusting to the university experience. The help of our faculty is critical to our success.

As. If. The. Mistakes. Of. Admissions. Are. My. Problem.

I am asking for your continued assistance in identifying freshmen students who may be experiencing academic adjustment issues. You may also choose to recommend upperclassmen that may be experiencing academic difficulty in your classes.Your 2005 fall semester efforts produced 500 referrals.

What's the cost-benefit ratio?

Students will be referred to various campus academic service programs such as tutoring or academic counseling. In addition, because you may be in the best position to assist your own students, they will be encouraged to meet with you to discuss any difficulties with class material.

I may be in the best position to assist my own students? Thanks. Isn't the whole point of letting the newbies know that office hours are available for consultation sufficient? We have to hire an army of counselors to reinforce the obvious?

The memorandum helpfully offers advice.

Do any of your students demonstrate the following?

poor class attendance
sleep in class
perform poorly on assignments
perform poorly on examinations
not turn in assignments or homework
seem disconnected or overwhelmed

Students demonstrating these behaviors may be at risk for poor academic performance.

Often, these students are not aware of services and programs that can enhance their academic success.

Marvelous. The problem isn't immaturity or irresponsibility, it's ignorance of the hand-holders.

What can faculty do?

Identify and refer at risk students to the Early Alert Program
Keep posted office hours and encourage students to visit for assistance
Provide feedback and grades for students throughout the semester
Assess student performance prior to the midterm withdrawal deadline

Students that are conscientious enough to take advantage of the latter three good professorial practices (which some of us have been doing for long before anybody conceived of an Early Alert Program -- am I really reading a revelation about this university's preferences for temporary faculty?) are unlikely to have such lax life-management skills as to demonstrate the so-called at-risk behaviors. Those that are not? Well, they are adults. I am not aware of any public outcry about the universities being excessively demanding, although this service, recently and repeatedly, has called attention to public outcry about a failure of the universities to be demanding.